Final answer:
Ian Hodder's research in eastern Africa revealed the presence of sophisticated indigenous political systems, such as the democracy practiced by the Igbo, before the advent of colonial rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ian Hodder's work among several contemporary ethnic groups in eastern Africa highlighted the complexities and sophistication of indigenous political systems before colonial rule. The Igbo of eastern Nigeria, for instance, were practicing a form of homegrown democracy that was highly effective. African Political Systems, published by British anthropologists Meyer Fortes and E. E. Evans-Pritchard in 1940, debunked the myth that African politics were chaotic and oppressive, instead showing well-defined systems of political representation and decision-making. It is important to understand the intricacies of these systems to appreciate the cultural richness and historical depth of African societies.